6/2/18 – Job 38, Job 39, Job 40:1-2 Matthew 24:32-51, Matthew 25:1-13 Psalm 18:37-42

Job 38:3

Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.

And we get to the good bit! God speaks!

But He warns Job, this won’t be easy. Brace yourself like a man, because this is how it is. The King James version says gird up your loins like a man. I can’t help but get a picture here of a footballer in a line before a free kick. Brace yourself – this is going to hurt.

God then asks Job questions that should humble us all. Where were you when God laid the earth’s foundation? Not around?

Have you ever given orders to the morning? Nope. Have the gates of Hell been shown to you? Nope. Who cuts a channel for the torrents of rain… not me.

Can I loosen Orion’s belt? Nope.

Does the hawk take flight by my wisdom. Again…. no.

God then ends this first round with a zinger.

“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?

Let him who accuses God answer him!”

Man wants to try and disagree with God. We say, “A loving God would never…” How can God allow” or “I wouldn’t believe in a God who…”

Who on earth do we think we are? Let us answer Him like Job (Although that verse is for tomorrow I’ll do it now). I am unworthy – how can I reply to Him? He is so great, so wise and so mighty – God and God alone has done all these things. We do not discredit His justice.

We don’t get to decide what kind of God He is. For He is the God who IS.

Matt 25:5

As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.

This parable of the 5 Virgins is part of Jesus’ discourse on HIs second coming. That’s what it’s about – nothing else. He speaking about the timing of HIs return. We don’t know when it will be – what we must be, is ready.

But here’s the problem. As we wait – we get drowsy. The church is getting drowsy. As the years go by, it looks often like the church is asleep. Waiting.

The sleep itself isn’t the problem. But the foolish Virgins whilst they slept let their lamps go out. And church, we cannot let our lamps go out. As we wait, we cannot let sin creep in, we cannot let disunity creep in, we cannot let compromise in.

Wake up! The bridegroom is coming! You don’t know when but you know He is. Don’t let the wait turn into laxness – don’t let your slumber mean you are not keeping watch over your now life.

Be ready! For if the door shuts and we miss the opportunity we have no-one to blame but ourselves.